Is Sprite or 7UP Better When Sick?

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

For decades, clear lemon-lime sodas like Sprite and 7UP have been a go-to folk remedy for an upset stomach. Many believe the carbonation and light flavor can settle nausea, but modern medical consensus offers a more nuanced view of their effectiveness and potential drawbacks.

Quick Summary

An analysis of Sprite and 7UP for sickness shows no significant medical difference between the two sodas. Both are high in sugar and low in electrolytes, making them poor choices for rehydration, and their carbonation can worsen some stomach issues. Alternative options like electrolyte drinks or bland foods are generally recommended.

Key Points

No Medical Superiority: Neither Sprite nor 7UP has proven medical benefits for sickness; both are high-sugar drinks that don't effectively rehydrate.
Dehydration Risk: The high sugar content in both sodas can worsen diarrhea, and they lack the necessary electrolytes to properly combat dehydration.
Carbonation can Worsen Symptoms: The fizz can increase gastric pressure, potentially aggravating stomach discomfort and acid reflux.
Better Alternatives Exist: Medically recommended options for sickness include electrolyte solutions, clear broths, herbal teas, and small, frequent sips of water.
Slight Ingredient Differences: While similar, Sprite has slightly more sodium, while 7UP has slightly less sugar and is manufactured by a different company, but these differences are negligible for sickness.

Sprite vs. 7UP: Ingredient Breakdown

While both Sprite and 7UP taste similar and are used for the same home remedy, their formulations differ slightly. Understanding these differences is key to determining if one might be 'better' for you, though neither is medically superior to proper rehydration methods.

What's in Sprite?

Sprite, a Coca-Cola product, lists its key ingredients as carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and natural flavors. It contains a higher sodium content than 7UP. Despite the "natural flavors" claim, its high sugar content is the most significant factor to consider when sick. The sugar can potentially worsen diarrhea by pulling water into the intestines.

What's in 7UP?

7UP is now a brand under Keurig Dr Pepper/Snapple. Its ingredients include carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, natural flavors, and sodium citrate. It contains slightly less sugar and sodium per serving than Sprite. Historically, 7UP contained lithium citrate, a mood-stabilizing drug, but this was removed in the 1950s.

The Real Remedy: Dispelling the Carbonation Myth

The belief that carbonation helps settle a stomach is largely a myth. Some people feel temporary relief from burping, which releases built-up gas, but the fizz can also inflate the stomach and cause additional discomfort. For those with gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux (GERD), carbonated drinks can make symptoms worse. The popular advice to drink 'flat soda' by shaking it or stirring until the bubbles dissipate is an attempt to mitigate this, but it doesn't solve the underlying problem with the high sugar content.

Why Both Aren't Ideal for Dehydration

When battling vomiting or diarrhea, the primary medical concern is dehydration. The body loses essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Lemon-lime sodas are not designed to replenish these. A review of medical literature found that soft drinks provide inadequate fluid and electrolyte replacement. In fact, their high sugar load can pull water from your body into your digestive system, which can actually exacerbate dehydration, especially with diarrhea.

Comparison Table: Sprite vs. 7UP for Sickness


Feature	Sprite	7UP
Manufacturer	Coca-Cola	Keurig Dr Pepper/Snapple
Key Ingredients	Carbonated water, HFCS, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate	Carbonated water, HFCS, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate
Flavor Profile	Often described as having a brighter, slightly more lime-forward taste.	Often described as having a smoother, more balanced lemon-lime flavor.
Sodium Content	Slightly higher per serving.	Slightly lower per serving.
Medical Efficacy for Sickness	None; anecdotal relief is psychological or from burping.	None; anecdotal relief is psychological or from burping.
Dehydration Risk	High due to sugar, low electrolytes.	High due to sugar, low electrolytes.
Best for Rehydration?	No; better options exist, like sports drinks with electrolytes.	No; better options exist, like sports drinks with electrolytes.

Better Alternatives When Feeling Sick

Instead of reaching for a sugary soda, consider more effective hydration and stomach-soothing options.

Electrolyte beverages: Sports drinks (diluted), pediatric electrolyte solutions, or rehydration salts are scientifically formulated to replace lost fluids and minerals.
Clear broth: A clear, low-sodium broth can provide warmth and some nutrients while being gentle on the stomach.
Herbal teas: Ginger and peppermint teas are known for their natural ability to soothe nausea.
Small sips of water or ice chips: Sucking on ice chips or taking small, frequent sips of water can prevent the stomach from getting overwhelmed.
Bland foods: Once you can tolerate it, the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet is often recommended for settling the stomach.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

Neither Sprite nor 7UP is medically better when sick. While the tradition of drinking them is strong, based on their high sugar content and lack of electrolytes, they are an ineffective, and potentially counterproductive, choice for rehydration. For genuine relief and to prevent dehydration, it's best to opt for clear electrolyte drinks, herbal teas, or simply small, slow sips of water. The choice between Sprite and 7UP boils down to personal preference for their subtle flavor differences, but their health impact when sick is virtually identical and best avoided. For more reliable information on managing an upset stomach, consult resources like those from the Cleveland Clinic or WebMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the belief that flat soda helps an upset stomach is a myth. While the lack of carbonation is less irritating, the high sugar content can exacerbate issues like diarrhea and is ineffective for rehydration.

The best drinks for nausea are those that are gentle on the stomach and hydrate effectively. Options include clear, non-citrus juices (like apple), clear broths, and herbal teas, especially ginger or peppermint tea.

No, neither Sprite nor 7UP contains significant levels of electrolytes like sodium and potassium. They are primarily carbonated water and high-fructose corn syrup.

Instead of soda, you should drink electrolyte solutions, diluted fruit juice, clear broths, or water. For nausea, ginger or peppermint tea can be very effective.

For nausea and an upset stomach, many find that cool liquids are more tolerable. Taking small, slow sips of cool water or sucking on ice chips is often recommended.

The use of Sprite or 7UP for sickness is a long-standing folk remedy. Any perceived benefit is likely due to the placebo effect or the relief from burping, not any inherent medical property of the soda itself.

Yes, the high sugar content in sodas can make diarrhea worse. It can draw water into the digestive tract, increasing the frequency of watery stools and speeding up dehydration.